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Parenting 101 By Laura M. Groenjes In the mid 1970’s, most state governments were not yet making policy connections between the care and education of young children and their performance in school. Ahead of its time, the 1974 Minnesota Legislature began the piloting of Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) in the form of six local programs. More than 30 years later, the program is available statewide and serves over 310,000 parents and children each year. Cynthia Sampers, an Early Childhood teacher since 1981, said “ECFE was originally designed to reduce child abuse by helping parents know what appropriate expectations are for their kids.” But over the years, ECFE has shifted its focus into a general program to help parents that want to learn about different options that are out there for discipline, expectations for sleep, nutrition, and what kids are capable of doing at what age. ECFE’s Mission Based on the idea that the family provides a child’s first and most important learning environment, and parents are a child’s first and most significant teachers, ECFE is designed for parents and young children (infants to five years old). District 196 Early Childhood Family Services Manager Karen Kellar said that the goal of ECFE is “to support families with young children, to build strong families and help prepare kids for life and school experiences. ECFE is focused on providing support so parents can be the best parents possible, so children can grow up in great environments that help them to succeed.” The goals of Minnesota’s ECFE programs are to support the parent-child relationship in physical wellbeing and motor development, social and emotional development, in approaches to learning, language development, communication skills, and general knowledge. ECFE aims to help parents to understand the importance of what they do with their children and how it changes over time, to develop realistic expectations, to meet the developmental needs of their children, and to demonstrate sensitive and responsive care of their children. Helen Wells, Manager of the Minneapolis ECFE, said, “At ECFE we explore beliefs. We give you things that work. We may give you an alternative, but we won’t tell you you’re wrong. We’re about giving support and information so that you can decide what’s best for you.” Benefits ECFE can provide a variety of benefits for children and parents alike. ECFE parent Corrine Hauck, a stay-at-home mom of two young boys, said, “Some benefits from the program are being able to talk to other adults about what you are going through with your kids, asking the educator questions about child-rearing, playing with toys other than the ones at home, the parenting resources provided by ECFE, and structured playtime.” Wells said that one of the benefits that parents tell her about most is the connection they have made with other parents through ECFE. “We are a relationship based program where... say for instance, no matter what situation you’re in, if you choose an age-specific class, that meets in your neighborhood, you’ll find parents with children the same age. There’s an instant connection there because you’re going through the same things,” she said. According to the Minnesota Department of Education’s website, research shows that early childhood programs involving parents and children are more effective than programs focusing exclusively on children. Educators and psychologists agree that it is extremely important that early childhood programs assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children because involvement prior to kindergarten encourages parents to play an active role in their children’s learning throughout their entire education. Children are more successful in school when their parents are involved in their education. ECFE helps parents build this connection with their children’s education and encourages a smooth transition from early childhood programs to kindergarten and the larger school system. Society also benefits from strong families and healthy, well-developed children. The Minnesota Department of Education website claims that “the potential of ECFE to prevent or reduce later learning problems of children has been confirmed by evaluation of ECFE and similar programs. Research strongly suggests that dollars spent on ECFE are more than repaid by savings in remedial health, education, and welfare costs later.” Locations and Logistics Each ECFE program is administered through its local school district and designed with the assistance of an advisory council composed of a majority of parents and other community representatives. Licensed parent educators and early childhood teachers offer program activities in school buildings, homes, shopping centers, public libraries, health clinics, apartment buildings, homeless shelters, faith facilities, and other community sites. All parents with children aged birth to kindergarten enrollment, living within a school district offering an ECFE program are eligible to participate. ECFE is committed to accessibility for everyone, so program offerings are available for a nominal cost on a sliding fee basis, with fees reduced or waived for those unable to pay. If parents want to find out more about programs in their area, they can call their school district and ask for the number to ECFE, go on to their school district’s website, or log on to www.ecfe.info. Class Components Most programs contain the following components: parent discussion groups, play and learning activities for children, parent-child activities, special events for the entire family, home visits, early screening for potential children’s health and developmental programs, community resource information for families and young children and libraries of books, toys and other learning materials. Each program generally includes three central activities focusing on parent and family education, early childhood education, and parent-child interaction. Wells explained that a typical ECFE class begins with a parent/child activity, in which parents and children participate together in activities in the children’s classroom. Then, parents separate from their children and join other parents for a discussion group led by a licensed Parent Educator, while the children continue to play and learn in activities facilitated by a licensed Early Childhood Teacher. Wells emphasized the fact that, “There are typical ECFE classes, but we want to meet the parents where they are. Everyone is in a different situation.” ECFE aims to serve a representative cross-section of families with young children in each community, so programs are tailored locally to meet the needs of families in each specific community. Programs usually offer several sessions with specific topics to meet the needs of families with special concerns, such as single parenting, teen parents, immigrant families, and children with special needs. Sampers said, “I try to adapt and customize the class to the participants that are there… I might spend one day on spirited, high-energy children. While it’s not always fun to be the parent of a kid that has unbound energy, I help parents to see that the characteristics their kid has now are good as an adult and I help them to channel that energy into positive sources.” ECFE is about meeting parents where they are - no matter where they are - and helping them to be the best parents possible “I have never met a parent that doesn’t want their child to succeed, said Wells. “Parenting doesn’t come naturally, it has to be learned... and it can be learned.” Top Five 1. Increased feelings of support from others, knowing they are “not alone” in their feelings and experiences and that other parents have the same problems and concerns. 2. An increased sense of confidence and self-esteem as a parent 3. Increased knowledge, awareness, and understanding about children and child development and the parental role in relation to child development 4. (resulting in) changed perceptions and expectations for themselves as parents and for their children, and 5. changes in behavior * according to a survey of parents who participated in ECFE for one year Source: MN Department of Education The Low-Down on ECFE
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